NBA 2K9 Team-Up Mode Not Fixed By Patch

by pastapadre
Posted December 3rd, 2008 at 9:35 pm

One of the supposed fixes in the patch for NBA 2K9 was to make the 5 on 5 Team-Up mode playable. The mode has never worked properly having been inflicted with crippling lag (the worst I’ve ever experienced), disconnects, and frustration. I was concerned with the wording in the patch details and wanted to see how much it improved the performance. Two months after release would Team-Up mode actually function properly and deliver what was advertised?

The short answer to that is no. I spent a considerable amount of time trying to play it with very little success. The only games I was able to load into and play involved only a couple other users. There was no success with 7 or more users involved. Here are a couple of the instances I experienced and a few thoughts on it.

Clippers-Rockets: Things were going pretty well in my first attempt and I was encouraged. Controlling Yao with a full 10 player game and no lag. After the first possession the game ended. I was returned to the main loading screen.

Bucks-Bobcats: Game filled up and was ready to go. Got a “Waiting for opponent” message and after a few seconds the users were dispersed back to the main loading screen. “Network conditions too poor to continue” was the reasoning given.

TimberWolves-Bobcats: Same situations as the previous one only I was returned to the online menu of the game.

Was able to get into games with 2 other users and 3 other users involved and it played smoothly. That is pretty much how it was before. Regardless that isn’t what the mode is supposed to be limited to.

I made multiple other attempts. Most either disconnected with the poor network conditions message or left me sitting in the shoot-around area with no other users being filtered in.

No change was made to how the game selects the team and player for the user, and while new match-ups have been added they are pre-determined. Essentially the user has no control over the teams used, what team they play on, and what player they control. Needless to say it is pretty obvious that there needs to be a clan type system in place for 2K10.

On a positive note the default Team-Up camera (which was addressed in the patch) is much better. It is more along the lines of the broadcast camera. Much easier to keep up with the action and there are no blind spots or confusion with the camera flipping around.

I still really like the shoot-around while the game is filling up. In the future it would be great to have the whole team there and be able to practice together.

I spent way too much time just attempting to play the mode. That is incredibly frustrating and very disappointing that an advertised mode is not functioning and now looks likely that it won’t this year. Granted I didn’t experience the lag that I did prior to the patch, but it appears that the fix for that was to just not have the game run. For those who don’t mind playing 2 vs 2 or 3 vs 3 type arrangements Team-Up can provide enjoyment from that. It just doesn’t deliver on the 5 vs 5 as promised.

Tags:

fat dave

2k9 is still better than live.
fat dave

2k9 is still better than live.
alexguy96

hey, at least it takes you back to the online menu screen, instead of waiting in the dreaded "waiting for opponent" sign. oh and does that mean the patch is out for xbox 360?
alexguy96

hey, at least it takes you back to the online menu screen, instead of waiting in the dreaded "waiting for opponent" sign. oh and does that mean the patch is out for xbox 360?
Joe

I find it hilarious that people are still arguing about which game is better. Clearly there are people who enjoy playing Live 09 (Pasta) and there are those who enjoy playing 2k9 (Me). I thank Pasta for his updates about problems in both games but come on to say one is better than the other is ridiculous. In the future I can only hope that if EA grabs the exclusive NBA license they hire Team 2K (Visual Concepts) and we get the best of both franchises.
Joe

I find it hilarious that people are still arguing about which game is better. Clearly there are people who enjoy playing Live 09 (Pasta) and there are those who enjoy playing 2k9 (Me). I thank Pasta for his updates about problems in both games but come on to say one is better than the other is ridiculous. In the future I can only hope that if EA grabs the exclusive NBA license they hire Team 2K (Visual Concepts) and we get the best of both franchises.
JR (cabrillo24)

In terms of game play and dynasty depth I gave 2K the heads up, despite EA making a good huge improvements and making the game enjoyable. I found myself playing Live more than 2K (first time since 2006) despite 2K having the overrall better game play. EA released their patch and actually am thinking that it's very much improved and I haven't popped in 2K9 since (which I plan on doing this weekend to test out the update). What I like about both franchises is that they are both releasing patches very early on, which leaves me optimistic that a second patch can be released.

As a basketball fan I'm glad there are two good games out, as I've been dissapointed since the last few years with both these franchises.

And for the person asking Pasta for his 2K impressions, it's on here. Not as in depth as Live, because EA actually gave Pasta some time with it during the build up and didn't keep the community in the blind. This isn't a review web-site. It's impressions and discussions.
JR (cabrillo24)

In terms of game play and dynasty depth I gave 2K the heads up, despite EA making a good huge improvements and making the game enjoyable. I found myself playing Live more than 2K (first time since 2006) despite 2K having the overrall better game play. EA released their patch and actually am thinking that it's very much improved and I haven't popped in 2K9 since (which I plan on doing this weekend to test out the update). What I like about both franchises is that they are both releasing patches very early on, which leaves me optimistic that a second patch can be released.

As a basketball fan I'm glad there are two good games out, as I've been dissapointed since the last few years with both these franchises.

And for the person asking Pasta for his 2K impressions, it's on here. Not as in depth as Live, because EA actually gave Pasta some time with it during the build up and didn't keep the community in the blind. This isn't a review web-site. It's impressions and discussions.
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

I love this. Always appreciate the ignoring of those same articles directed at EA games when they fail to deliver on advertised features.
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

I love this. Always appreciate the ignoring of those same articles directed at EA games when they fail to deliver on advertised features.
http://intensedebate.com/people/kbomb1upc kbomb1upc

Why is everyone trying to rip Pasta for giving you the information? You can say whatever you want but the Team up mode sucks. I loved playing online in 2K8 and its very depressing to see how bad online is this year. That is just the facts, No need to sugar coat it. And don't call Pasta a hater because he ripped my beloved NCAA football when the Online Dynasty crashed and Madden when the online was crappy, but do you know why he stop talking about them. Because EA fixed the issue. Keep giving us the news Pasta…
http://intensedebate.com/people/kbomb1upc kbomb1upc

Why is everyone trying to rip Pasta for giving you the information? You can say whatever you want but the Team up mode sucks. I loved playing online in 2K8 and its very depressing to see how bad online is this year. That is just the facts, No need to sugar coat it. And don't call Pasta a hater because he ripped my beloved NCAA football when the Online Dynasty crashed and Madden when the online was crappy, but do you know why he stop talking about them. Because EA fixed the issue. Keep giving us the news Pasta…
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Thanks. The thing these few people don't seem to get is that if the mode had been fixed I would've written about that along with my impressions. I went into it with a clean slate and the mode doesn't work…wasted a lot of time just trying to play it. I don't control whether it runs properly but I will continue to hold the companies accountable when they don't deliver on their promises. Most if not all other sites review a game and move on to the next one. That isn't what I do.
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Thanks. The thing these few people don't seem to get is that if the mode had been fixed I would've written about that along with my impressions. I went into it with a clean slate and the mode doesn't work…wasted a lot of time just trying to play it. I don't control whether it runs properly but I will continue to hold the companies accountable when they don't deliver on their promises. Most if not all other sites review a game and move on to the next one. That isn't what I do.
lino empino

j-tuck, your riding live pretty hard, give it a break por favor dude.
lino empino

j-tuck, your riding live pretty hard, give it a break por favor dude.
kwas676

Pasta why dont you just close down your comment section, the 5 on 5 on 2k9 is a joke how can fifa have 20 people on the field with no problems but but 2k cant handle 10 people. this is the same crap they did with mlb 2k8 and prizefighter, you can cry bout EA as much as you want 2ksports lately is a joke.
kwas676

Pasta why dont you just close down your comment section, the 5 on 5 on 2k9 is a joke how can fifa have 20 people on the field with no problems but but 2k cant handle 10 people. this is the same crap they did with mlb 2k8 and prizefighter, you can cry bout EA as much as you want 2ksports lately is a joke.
http://intensedebate.com/people/kbomb1upc kbomb1upc

Thanks Pasta… And now all you have to do is a get a PS3 and we can be friends…lol
http://intensedebate.com/people/kbomb1upc kbomb1upc

Thanks Pasta… And now all you have to do is a get a PS3 and we can be friends…lol
armando1

all you have to do is turn off the sports ticker and u have no lag…..i get in to every game now with no lag. u dont have to believe me but im serious. and pasta i realize that u talk about it when ea fails but not in this much detail u just hate 2k go head and admit it…if u do then people would shut up with all the speculation. and pasta is a man he doesnt need all you ea fan boys to protect him. this is 2k's first year of 5 on 5 if there is a next year for them they'll get it right trust. this is what fifa's third. lol give them some time its still better then live…dynasty and gameplay……way more signature moves also…but um live is trash but the nba academy is cool…and online is good but if you cant stand the gameplay how can you enjoy the online?
armando1

all you have to do is turn off the sports ticker and u have no lag…..i get in to every game now with no lag. u dont have to believe me but im serious. and pasta i realize that u talk about it when ea fails but not in this much detail u just hate 2k go head and admit it…if u do then people would shut up with all the speculation. and pasta is a man he doesnt need all you ea fan boys to protect him. this is 2k's first year of 5 on 5 if there is a next year for them they'll get it right trust. this is what fifa's third. lol give them some time its still better then live…dynasty and gameplay……way more signature moves also…but um live is trash but the nba academy is cool…and online is good but if you cant stand the gameplay how can you enjoy the online?
yandor22

2k doesnt care we saw how well the game sold so they are happy. meanwhile ill go play my 20 person online team play in fifa with no lag.
yandor22

2k doesnt care we saw how well the game sold so they are happy. meanwhile ill go play my 20 person online team play in fifa with no lag.
J-Claw

I spotted this right away when I read the patch details. They didnt fix anything just put the blame on people's connections which is BS.
J-Claw

I spotted this right away when I read the patch details. They didnt fix anything just put the blame on people's connections which is BS.
on the run

why would anyone expect better from 2k?
on the run

why would anyone expect better from 2k?
CAE

Upgrade your dsl pasta, i only had 1 laggy ranked team up
CAE

Upgrade your dsl pasta, i only had 1 laggy ranked team up
james

is it a 360 thing? cause i have a ps3 and got into a 5 on 5 with only a couple lag spikes throughout the game my first try… since the patch it seems like theres a better chance to get a lag free 5 on 5 game (on my ps3, even though 2 games were unplayable due to lag)
james

is it a 360 thing? cause i have a ps3 and got into a 5 on 5 with only a couple lag spikes throughout the game my first try… since the patch it seems like theres a better chance to get a lag free 5 on 5 game (on my ps3, even though 2 games were unplayable due to lag)
crazed-asian

2k obviously threw this mode in just so they could say they had something that live had. i guess they didnt expect so many people to play it
crazed-asian

2k obviously threw this mode in just so they could say they had something that live had. i guess they didnt expect so many people to play it
Kyle

I was able to play a team up mode game the day after the patch came out. Indiana at Boston. 3 user controlled players were on each team. That was the only time I was ever able to play a successful team up game. I have not been able to play one since. This is for 360.

BTW, how do you earn a "good teammate rating?" Do you have to finish the game with at least a B- or does someone have to rate you? thanks
Kyle

I was able to play a team up mode game the day after the patch came out. Indiana at Boston. 3 user controlled players were on each team. That was the only time I was ever able to play a successful team up game. I have not been able to play one since. This is for 360.

BTW, how do you earn a "good teammate rating?" Do you have to finish the game with at least a B- or does someone have to rate you? thanks
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

I have a PS3, just rarely play the multiplatform titles on there. Send a friends request to pastapadre.
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Just to clarify its year 1 1/2 for both FIFA and Live. They patched in OTP after release last year.

As to the ticker my problems trying to play post-patch didn't present lag issues so I'm not sure how that would help. I just couldn't successfully get into and games unless there were just a couple users involved.
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Just to clarify its year 1 1/2 for both FIFA and Live. They patched in OTP after release last year.

As to the ticker my problems trying to play post-patch didn't present lag issues so I'm not sure how that would help. I just couldn't successfully get into and games unless there were just a couple users involved.
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

I have a PS3, just rarely play the multiplatform titles on there. Send a friends request to pastapadre.
lancer

teamup is terrible even after the patch
lancer

teamup is terrible even after the patch
DGO

Ive given up trying to play its a total waste of time. I had some fun in games that were 3-3 or less though.
DGO

Ive given up trying to play its a total waste of time. I had some fun in games that were 3-3 or less though.
Josh

The difference between people who prefer Live & people who prefer 2K is that Live fanboys would rather have fancy features & smooth online play whereas 2K fanboys would rather have solid realistic gameplay with hundreds of smooth animations. What's the point have having smooth online play when the gameplay isn't up to par? Yea 2K's online play has disappointed this year but at least they know what truely matters GAMEPLAY!
Josh

The difference between people who prefer Live & people who prefer 2K is that Live fanboys would rather have fancy features & smooth online play whereas 2K fanboys would rather have solid realistic gameplay with hundreds of smooth animations. What's the point have having smooth online play when the gameplay isn't up to par? Yea 2K's online play has disappointed this year but at least they know what truely matters GAMEPLAY!
Justin Tuck.

NBA live Wins Flawless victory.

NBA live silky smooth online play is awesome.

NBA live Online play>NBA 2k9 online play

and online plays rules the roost!
Justin Tuck.

NBA live Wins Flawless victory.

NBA live silky smooth online play is awesome.

NBA live Online play>NBA 2k9 online play

and online plays rules the roost!
TeeJay

i agree with tucker. idk about the "NBA live Wins Flawless victory part though lmao.
TeeJay

i agree with tucker. idk about the "NBA live Wins Flawless victory part though lmao.